Dozens Of New Businesses Set Up Shop In 2004

During 2004, dozens of new businesses opened in the Rim country. Most were in the Payson area, but a few hung out their shingles in Pine and Star Valley.

Here is just a sample of the newcomers who helped shape the Rim country's business landscape last year.

Jim Keyworth/Roundup

Debbie Stuart and her partners operate the eclectic Main Street
Mercantile at 216 W. Main St.

A Heaven Bound Plumbing Company

Michael Jones, owner of A Heaven Bound Plumbing Company, brings 22 years of experience to your door. He offers free estimates on jobs and provides discounts on work for senior citizens. Phone: (928) 468-6374.

Aaron's Sales and Lease

Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership for Less opened in September 2004, offering brand name furniture, appliances and electronics for sale, or you can lease-to-own. Address: 113 E. Highway 260 in Payson. Phone: (928) 474-5065.

All About Detailing

All About Detailing can help Rim country residents get their vehicles in shape for all kinds of driving conditions. The father-and-son team of Rob and Joe Robichaud originally opened in early September, offering hand washing, waxing, buffing, engine cleaning, vacuuming, shampooing and windows. Phone: (928) 970-1629.

Cedar Lane Antiques

Bruce and Barbara Kroeger opened Cedar Lane Antiques Aug. 13. Because they have access to so much furniture, they are available to work with interior decorators and designers. Address: 111 E. Cedar in Payson. Phone: (928) 468-1351.

Chris Smith Investments

Chris Smith, formerly of Edward Jones, opened his own firm in 2004. Chris Smith Investments is a member of the Wachovia Securities Financial Network. Address: 112 W. Main St. in Payson. Phone: (928) 472-7634.

Domino's Pizza

Justin Lasher joined the local pizza scene when he opened Domino's Pizza in early 2004. Lasher employs 15 to 20 people and is always looking for more delivery drivers. Address: 307 S. Beeline Highway in Payson. Phone: (928) 472-9000.

Edward Jones Investments

Edward Jones Investments grew in Payson in 2004, with the opening of two new offices. Paul Pfeifer opened his branch at 600 E. Highway 260, Suite 11; Ross Hage operates the branch in the Sawmill Crossing Shopping Center. Phone: (928) 474-6099 (Pfeifer) or (928) 468-2281 (Hage).

Fashions Now

Cheryl Aschbrenner said she couldn't drag her children to the Valley to shop, so she opened her own store. Fashions Now features women's clothes and accessories, including shoes, purses, wallets, jewelry and sunglasses. Address: 408 W. Main St. in Payson. Phone: (928) 468-1330.

Great China Buffet

The Great China Buffet, brought new Chinese food to the Rim country. Opened by the Chen family, it is an expansion of their restaurant in Avondale. The restaurant features about 50 to 60 items on its buffet line, which includes a salad bar. Address: 100 N. Highway 260 in Payson. Phone: (928) 472-7476.

High Country Pawn and Furniture

High Country Pawn and Furniture carries a little bit of everything. Cousins Al Bolin and James Bolin opened the shop Dec. 1. Address: 805 E. Highway 260 in Payson. Phone: (928) 474-2763.

Lenders for Life Mortgage Corporation

Tara Keeney started her own business in March 2004, Lenders for Life Home Mortgage Corporation, a fully licensed and independent mortgage broker.

Main Street Animal Clinic

Teresa McQuerrey/Roundup

Barb Wilembrecht, left, and Brenda Martell opened Paper and Metal
Scrappers in May 2004.

Jacque Rosholm retired from the Phoenix area veterinary business in 1999 and moved to the Rim country. When she got here, she said she saw a need for a different type of veterinary service. Main Street Animal Clinic is located at 411 W. Main St. in Payson. Phone: (928) 474-9292.

Main Street Mercantile

Main Street Mercantile is the newest addition to the growing collection of unique stores on Payson's historic main drag. The store is full of what co-owner Mike Stuart calls "cool stuff." Stuart owns the store with his wife, Debbie Stuart, Bruce Itule and Carol Carney. Address: 216 W. Main St. in Payson. Phone: (928) 468-0526.

One Dollar Superstore

The new One Dollar Superstore opened its doors Aug. 11, bringing shoppers an opportunity to find everything from hardware to greeting cards for only a dollar, and sometimes less. Address: 111 E. Highway 260 in Payson. Phone: (928) 468-9600.

Pearson and Company North

Special decorator touches of plants, art, accessories and exotic wood furnishings were the feature of Pearson and Company North. Pearson and Company North has since closed.

Pick It Fence Handcrafted Gifts and Home Decor

To find that special, handmade gift or home decor item visit Pick It Fence Handcrafted Gifts and Home Decor in Pine. Linda Howard opened the business in July, featuring a wide selection of Americana items. Address: 3494 N. Beeline Highway in Pine. Phone: (928) 978-2704.

Pine Creek Collection

Rex and Kristen Astle opened The Pine Creek Collection last summer. There are several rooms nearly bursting at the seams with a unique combination of art, antiques and home decor items. Address: 4069 N. Highway 87 in Pine. Phone: (928) 476-5800.

Rent-A-Center

Rim Deli 'n' Ice Cream

Mark Boccardo and his brother, Scott Boccardo, opened Rim Deli 'n' Ice Cream Shop at the site of the old Frozen Cow in mid-February. It was the third restaurant the two have operated in the Rim country. The Rim Deli 'n' Ice Cream Shop has since closed.

Rim Liquor

Gwen and Bill Tonstad opened Rim Liquor in March 2004. The Tonstad family built a cabin in the Ellison Creek Summer Homes area and that is where Bill and Gwen retired when he finished his career with U.S. West. Address: 807 S. Beeline Highway in Payson. Phone: (928) 472-2200.

ServiceMaster

Mike Amundson, operator of ServiceMaster, can help get your home back to normal after a tragedy. The main thrust of the business is fire and water damage restoration, but the steady work is carpet and upholstery cleaning. Phone: (928) 474-0610.

Solid Teak Furniture

Teak furniture is available direct from the factory in the Solid Teak Furniture showroom. Operator Ron Sigars opened the showroom in August. The furniture comes directly from the Phoenix factory where the wood arrives from the manufacturer's plantation in Costa Rica. Address: 620 E. Highway 260 in Payson. Phone: (928) 472-7997.

Strawberry Fudge Factory

Teresa McQuerrey/Roundup

John Bittner has turned his love of goat milk into the Strawberry
Fudge Factory.

John Bittner opened the Strawberry Fudge Factory in February 2004. Bittner supplies select stores and restaurants in the area with his famous goat milk fudge. Address: On Fossil Creek Road in Strawberry. Phone: (928) 476-5178.

Up the Creek Bed-and-Breakfast

Susan Roberts, her brother, Michael Muench, and his wife, Karen opened Up the Creek Bed-and-Breakfast in Strawberry last winter. The main house has three guest rooms, all with their own baths; a kitchen large enough for guests to gather as meals are being prepared; a breakfast room and a dining room; a gathering room; a deck and covered porch, plus private wings where the family members live. Address: 10491 W. Fossil Creek Road in Strawberry. Phone: (928) 476-6571.

Wants and Wishes

From comical critter knickknacks to one-of-a-kind antiques, customers will find treasures around every corner at Wants and Wishes. The shop has a variety of giftware, antiques, clothes and collectibles -- all set in the atmosphere of the 1915 home. Address: 705 W. Main St., Payson. Phone: (928) 468-8767.

New for 2005

Businesses opened in the first part of 2005, or scheduled to open soon include the Dollar General Store, Fireside Espresso, The Home Depot, and Maverik Convenience Market.

Dollar General Store, at 425 N. Beeline Highway, Payson opened in early February and employs seven people, according to Carol Fagen, assistant manager. It features a wide variety of items from paper goods to home decor, candy to car supplies. Call (928) 468-8835 for more information.

Fireside Espresso, a new coffee shop is tentatively scheduled to open March 28 and employs nine people, including owners Rick and Rose Jaskulski. In addition to special coffees, the shop will feature a variety of bakery goods. It is located at 614 N. Beeline in the Swiss Village Shops, (928) 474-6200. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The Home Depot is building a 104,866 square-foot facility with a 36,643 square-foot garden center. About 85 sales professionals have been hired and trained for the store, which is scheduled to open March 31, according to Shane Monahan, manager. The Home Depot is at 2000 N. Beeline Highway in Payson.

Maverik Convenience Store is under construction at 715 N. Beeline Highway, Payson. The Utah-based company operates in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, as well as Arizona.